Astros sign three, still in talks with Rodriguez, Pence

Astros agree to deals with three playersBourn, Lindstrom, Quintero signed, three more exchange figures

BERNARDO FALLAS , Copyright 2010 Houston Chronicle

Published 6:30 am, Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Photo: Tom Mihalek, ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Righthander Matt Lindstrom went 2-1 with a 5.89 ERA and 15 saves for the Florida Marlins last season.

Righthander Matt Lindstrom went 2-1 with a 5.89 ERA and 15 saves for the Florida Marlins last season.

Photo: Tom Mihalek, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Astros sign three, still in talks with Rodriguez, Pence

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On a day they signed one-year deals with three more arbitration-eligible players, including Gold Glove center fielder Michael Bourn, the Astros acknowledged they have their work cut out with the three who remain. Especially lefthander Wandy Rodriguez.

With teams and players exchanging salary figures Tuesday as part of arbitration protocol, the Astros found their offer of $5 million to Rodriguez $2 million short of what the lefthander is seeking, according to numbers released by the team.

"The spread is substantial (in Rodriguez’s case)," Astros general manager Ed Wade said. "Reaching settlements with all three remaining arbitration-eligible players will continue to be our goal."

However it plays out, Rodriguez, who went 14-12 with a 3.02 ERA last season, stands to at least almost double his 2009 pay of $2.6 million.

"There’s a lot of ground to cover," Wade said. "At the same time, we think there are clear comparables that support a number that we can get to exclusive of sitting in an arbitration hearing."

Bourn, who led the National League with 61 stolen bases last season, will make $2.4 million plus bonuses.

Lindstrom, who was acquired from the Florida Marlins last month, will pocket $1.625 million plus bonuses. Quintero will earn $750,000 plus bonuses.

The Astros have reached agreements with five of their eight arbitration-eligible players. Infielder Jeff Keppinger and righthander Chris Sampson agreed to one-year deals last week.

The Astros have no plans to extend multiyear deals to any of their arbitration-eligible players, even as Rodriguez and Bourn are coming off career years and Pence, a 2009 All-Star, looks to have a bright future ahead of him.

Rodriguez, 31, won’t be eligible for free agency until after the 2011 season, Bourn, 27, after the 2012 season and Pence, 26, after the 2013 season.

"It’s not an indication that we don’t have interest in these players finishing their careers in Houston," Wade said. "We just think it’s prudent to go a year at a time and allow ourselves to have as much flexibility as possible.